Breaking News: Canada ends policy of allowing visitors to apply for Work permits from within the country
As of August 28th, the Canadian government has stopped the temporary policy that allowed visitors in Canada to apply for a Work permit without leaving the country. This change is effective immediately.
This policy was first introduced in August 2020 by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. During that time, many visitors were unable to leave Canada due to travel restrictions, so the government allowed them to apply for work permits while staying in the country.
The policy also helped those who had previously held a work permit and later changed their status to “visitor.” These individuals were allowed to work legally in Canada while waiting for a decision on their new work permit application.
Although this Visitor to work permit policy was originally supposed to last until February 28th, 2025, the IRCC has decided to end it sooner.
The reason for this decision is to manage the number of temporary residents in Canada and to protect the integrity of the immigration system.
The IRCC also found that some people were misusing the policy to make foreign nationals work in Canada without proper authorization.
However, the IRCC will continue to process applications that were submitted before August 28, 2024, under the previous policy.
The decision to prohibit visitors from applying for work permits within Canada marks a significant policy change with potentially wide-ranging effects. While aimed at enhancing the integrity of the immigration system, it also presents new challenges for both prospective workers and Canadian employers. As the landscape of immigration continues to evolve, stakeholders will need to adapt to these changes and find ways to navigate the new regulatory environment.
